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Congratulations!
You have just been through one of
life's most stressful and exciting events-- pregnancy and childbirth. The time
after birth and adjusting to parenthood can be just as challenging. Caring for a
baby is hard work. You are going through many physical and emotional changes,
some of which may be very confusing and perhaps even frightening. Often along
with the expected feelings of excitement and joy, there are unexpected feelings
of anxiety and worry. And sometimes, in spite of help and support, women may
find themselves saying "This isn't what I
expected..."
Some new mothers described as Postpartum used to describe common emotional problems that may affect childbearing.
Click HERE to
read the Program Brochure "The Emotional
You"
Do any of these thoughts and feelings sound like you? Take a test, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, a helpful tool you can fill out to see if you need to find some help. We recommend to fill out this test weekly to see how your symptoms change. Click HERE to take this test.
Remember: You are not alone. You are not
to blame and you will recover with help.
Helpful web sites for new moms to visit:
Call the Women & Children Center and ask to speak with a staff member from the Maternal Emotional Support Program at 906-225-3081 or 1-800-562-9753.
Information for New
Moms
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Quotes from
mothers...
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"I have trouble eating and sleeping.
I feel lonely, sad and don't have the energy to get things done. Sometimes I
don't even want to hold my baby. If this is supposed to be the happiest time of
my life, why does everything feel so wrong?"
"Everybody expects me to be the
perfect mother, bt I just can't do it. Sometimes I feel like I can't even care
for my baby."
"I was worried about what would
happen if people thought I couldn't be a good mother. But when I got help, I
realized that I was still the one in control."
"Some of the symptoms sounded just
like me. I knew it was important to talk to my doctor. Medication turned out to
be the best decision for me. I feel so much better now. "
Sound like you? Break the
Silence!
